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(CBS) Winning in the NFL is about developing a big-play passing attack.

During the 2011 regular season, it was all about the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots. Those were the three most prolific offenses in the league and it was widely expected that one of those teams would win the Super Bowl.

Defense made a stand in that game – to a degree—and the New York Giants beat the Patriots. The Giants have a solid passing game of their own but their defense played a key role in their playoff win over the Packers and again in the Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.

Going forward, the high-powered passing model is still in vogue in the NFL. In this year’s draft, it’s all about the passing attack. The headliners, of course, are Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Those two have been entrenched at the top of the draft since January and nothing has changed that in the ensuing weeks. Teams that are not looking for a quarterback are most likely looking for offensive linemen to protect the quarterback and big-play wideouts who can make life better for the quarterback.

The running game and defense have apparently become secondary factors. Coaches usually won’t talk about it, but you work on those areas of your team after the passing game can light up the scoreboard.

That’s the cycle we are in right now. That’s why you may see an unproven quarterback like Ryan Tannehill may be selected by the Browns with the fourth pick in the draft. Tannehill has a poor release point, awkward foot work, and is a hot-and-cold thrower. Could Tannehill turn out to be a solid quarterback? Yes, but he is probably no better than a second- or third-round player at this point. He’ll get drafted high in the first round because of potential, not proven ability.

That said, the Bears may focus on the linebacker position in this year’s draft. Luke Kuechly of Boston College is a can’t miss player at his position. He is dominant against the run, has rare instincts and knows how to defend the pass. He is an explosive athlete who appears to have a sensational future. The Bears have older stars in Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, but Kuechly could be their future at that position if they are lucky enough to select him.

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman was with Pro Football Weekly for 10 years and his byline has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Playboy, NFL.com and The Sporting News. He is the author of four books, including Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Football — The Top 60 Players of All-Time. Follow him on Twitter (@profootballboy) and read more of his CBS Chicago columns here.